“It’s called the The Rat-race for a reason; it’s a filthy, sweaty, and sometimes, stinky run around the track.”
Portmanteau Esmé
It’s easy to tell we’ve been in various stages of lockdown for almost a year and ‘the bubble’ is taking it’s toll because within a fortnight, I have had the same conversations with different people (not in person) about the same things. Everything in Switzerland is closed, apart from supermarkets, which are filled with Easter chocolate bunnies and chicks. So the conversation about what they have to do with Easter has, naturally, reared it’s ugly head. Two weeks ago, it was about chocolates and romance. And it went a little something like this:
Critic: What do chocolates have to do with love anyway? Me: It's a symbol- I'm already bored with conversation, I know where this is going but I've got nothing else better to do- Critic: I mean, it's just a manufactured holiday; it means nothing! Me: Isn't every holiday manufactured? Critic: No! It's not like Christmas, or whatever. Me: Christmas as we've made it out to be is manufactured by man. Nowhere in The Bible does it mention December 25th as the Birth Of Christ. Critic: That can't be true! Me Yes, it is. I was feeling especially ornery, so I added, just to be annoying... Me: Hashtag, facts! 100 hundred percent! Critic: Well, I don't need a day where I'm told I have to be romantic. I can do that any day- Me: Do you? Critic: Yes! Me: Do you, though? Critic: I mean... I try... okay, so maybe, not everyday, y'know, once in a while... when I have time and I'm not tired- Me: That sounds ... so romantic ... but we must make space for the people who need it; y'know, for anyone who doesn't get to be spoiled and pampered or even appreciated "once in a while". (Sarcasm and air-quotes injected into tone!)
Now, the topic is Easter and no matter how many times I murmur or screech “rabbits, eggs and chicks are symbols of new life and the Resurrection”, it falls on deaf ears.
What we consume – either internally or externally – from our national holidays are all derived from symbols. We make these symbols important and give them meaning so that we can take a break from – what can be – the plod of daily life. It’s as if we need that meaning in order to take that break, whether it is for love or something else…
Whoever coined the term Rat-race looked at the state of the working world and chose the words ‘rat’ (not good) and ‘race’ (arduous). It’s called the Rat-race for a reason; it’s a filthy, sweaty and sometimes, stinky run around the track. So, these holidays are very necessary to give us something to look forward to especially, if you live in a 24-7-work-life-no pain no gain culture.
Personally, I’d rather not know about a holiday because if it comes with some kind of celebration, I’m there for it, whether or not it has any cultural, religious or social relevance for me. Hell, I’ll even celebrate National Meat Day if it’s on the table. I stand in solidarity with everyone!
If the frivolity of a particular holiday bothers you, it might have great substance for someone else. Contrary to what we are being constantly spoon-fed, – life is not lived on one path; otherwise, it would be extremely dull.
